TWO SNP councillors who claim they were previously victims of work-based gender discrimination begged the city council to support a motion for a fairer Scotland for women.

Members agreed to back the Scottish Government’s gender pay gap action plan to lower the pay gap at Thursday’s full council meeting.

Councillor Annette Christie and councillor Margaret Morgan, told of their experiences of discrimination in the workplace when they were younger.

Ms Christie said: “I asked for a pay rise which led to a legal case which I won but at the end of it I was still out of a job. My employer had asked me to wear skirts to work even though I was dressed in a respectable trouser suit.

“My 15-year-old daughter is sitting up in the gallery today so I am doing this for her and for all the young girls in our city and country.”

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She explained that reducing the pay gap would boost Scotland’s economy by billions.

Ms Christie said: “By closing the gender gap in Scotland and increasing the female employment rate we would boost our country’s economy by £15 billion.

“How we can balance the pay gap is highlighted in the motion today by placing a ban on salary related history questions in job application and interview process.

“It sounds very simple but the results could be life changing for millions of women. During the recruitment process a person’s worth is often based on their last salary.

“As a women gets older that pay gap widens as much as 30 percent by the time a women gets to her 30s which is mainly due to absences from maternity leave and other caring responsibilities.”

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Councillor Margaret Morgan told her story. She said: “I am living evidence as being a victim of gender discrimination. Many years ago I decided to take solace south of the border and stayed there for many years.

“ I overcame these discriminatory practices but had to leave my homeland to do so.

“I am begging the chamber to support the motion. I was a victim but I came through it. Many women can’t and we need to help.”